Top News
Kurtz criticises ‘deeply disappointing’ delays at St Clears railway station
Samuel Kurtz MS has voiced his disappointment at the lack of progress by both the UK and Welsh Governments in delivering the reopening of St Clears railway station.
“Despite £4.7 million awarded by the previous UK Conservative Government to the Welsh Labour Government through the Restoring Your Railway Fund, four years have passed without any visible action towards the station’s reopening,” he said.
The new UK Government Rail Minister – Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill – has confirmed that the Welsh Government has acknowledged it cannot proceed with the project, citing rising costs and uncertainty over the location of a proposed new hospital in the area. The original agreed plan to reopen the station had no links to the potential new hospital.
Commenting on the situation, Samuel Kurtz, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, continued:
“It’s deeply disappointing that St Clears railway station remains closed. The Welsh Government received funding specifically for this project, yet no progress has been made.
“Linking this delay to the ongoing uncertainty around the location of a new hospital is simply not acceptable. The location of the new hospital was never conditional on the reopen of the station’s original business case or vice versa.
“The calls for the railway station have come from the community. It’s about time that the Labour governments on either side of the M4 start delivering for rural communities like ours. ”
In a letter to Sam Kurtz, the Minister of State for Rail said that the future reopening of St Clears Station ‘remains a priority for the Wales Rail Board’.
He stressed that the Board will continue to advise the UK and Welsh Governments on options for its future progression.
News
Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.
Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.
Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.
Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.
The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.
Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.
“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”
For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]
News
Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn
AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.
The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.
Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.
Crime
Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody
A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.
Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.
This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.
District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.
Chapman, who appeared via video link from Swansea Prison, will now face trial at Swansea Crown Court on February 17.
He was remanded in custody pending his appearance.
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